Every moment indoors is a missed opportunity. Sleeping should be kept to a minimum. You're in New Zealand. Isn't there a waterfall you could be swimming under? Or a dramatic coastal scene you should be gaping at? This is why kayaks were invented. And swimming in the South Pacific. How often can you say you did that? What about bungee jumping? Okay, maybe not. But you could. There are also hot springs, geysers and mud pots to check out. And after all these activities, you know what would be perfect? A glass of wine. Done and done. Enjoy New Zealand.
Days 1-2 Stroll past giant tree ferns and hanging vines to a secret valley
on the Coromandel Peninsula with our Kiwi guide 
A spectacular vista across the native bush and out to the Pacific is ample reward for biking up the winding climb to Pumpkin Hill Walk to Cathedral Cove, where sculpted sandstone, beaches and beautiful bright-blue waters await.
Days 3-4 Explore traditional Maori customs with our long time Maori friends
In the lush Karangahake Gorge, cross suspension bridges and discover an old gold-mining tunnel before cooling off under a waterfall Kayak on Lake Rotoiti to a small hot spring accessible only by boat Ever fed an emu or watched sheepshearers in action? Never say never!
Days 5-6 Mangapapa Petit Hotel, a country mansion you won't want to leave
Bike along rolling pastures to the Paeroa Range's white cliffs The Waikite Hot Pools invite a soothing dip Watch your step - geysers, thermal springs, colorful silica terraces and percolating mud pots abound at Waiotapu Amble to impressive Huka Falls If you're feeling fearless, now's your chance to bungee jump over the Waikato River.
Days 7-8 Bike through Hawke's Bay, a wine region known for cabernet varietals,
and stop for tastings under the shade of pines and oaks The 360-degree views of ocean and countryside from Te Mata Peak make our last hike extra thrilling.
Trip Highlights
- Bike through Hawke's Bay, a wine region known for cabernet varietals
- Traditional Maori customs and foods at a marae (ceremonial meeting place)
- Stroll past giant tree ferns and hanging vines to a secret valley
- Kayak on Lake Rotoiti to a small hot spring accessible only by boat
- Mangapapa Petit Hotel, a country mansion you won't want to leave
Premiere Inns
Puka Park Resort (2 nights): Settle into your private chalet at this secluded wilderness hideaway nestled among 25 acres of New Zealand bush. (pool, spa, tennis)
Amora Lake Resort (2 nights): A comfortable getaway on the shore of Lake Rotoiti. (pool, tennis)
Millennium Hotel (1 night): A modern and convenient haven on Lake Taupo with waterfront guest rooms. (pool, tennis)
Mangapapa Petit Hotel (2 nights): Built over a century ago, a beautifully renovated country hotel with a wraparound veranda and lush gardens. (pool, spa, tennis)
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Daily Route Options | |||||||||||
| Day | Activity | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | |||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | ||
| 1 | Walking | 3.0 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2 | Biking | 13* | 0 | 21* | 0 | ||||||
| Walking | 3.0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 3 | Walking | 5.0 | 900 | ||||||||
| 4 | Other | Afternoon farm tour with sheepshearing demonstration | |||||||||
| Kayaking | On Lake Rotoiti (3.5 hours) | ||||||||||
| 5 | Biking | 17* | 0 | 21 | 700 | ||||||
| Walking | 2.0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 6 | Biking | 13* | 0 | 24* | 0 | 31* | 0 | ||||
| Walking | 2.5 | 100 | |||||||||
| Other | Optional bungee jumping at Waikato River | ||||||||||
| 7 | Biking | 24 | 0 | 58 | 1100 | ||||||
| 8 | Walking | 3.0* | 700 | ||||||||
To make for the most comfortable ride to this particular trip, we've outfitted our titanium road bike with slightly wider tires. You'll appreciate this on those stretches of the route with hard-packed dirt (approximately 5% dirt and 95% paved).
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 12/20-27 Price: $5998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $730 for sgl. occ.)
SINGLES-SOLOS TRIPS
- 12/29-1/5 Price: $5498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $730 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
2014 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 1/26-2/2 Price: $5698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1120 for sgl. occ.)
- 2/23-3/2 Price: $5498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1120 for sgl. occ.)
- 3/16-23 Price: $5498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1120 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/28-1/4 Price: $5498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1120 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
It's hard to describe how wonderful and enriching this trip was. I learned more about the country of New Zealand than I ever thought possible. And the views were breathtaking. I didn't want to come home! I can't say enough about Backroads and am already anticipating my next trip!Christine Carlo - Watertown, MA
I can't wait to take another Backroads trip. It proved to be the best way to experience a new place and be assured we're hitting the high points of each location. It is a great feeling to be taken care of and treated so well by our leaders!- St. Paul, MN
I cannot find enough adjectives to describe how wonderful this trip was.- Littleton, CO
I have now finished 10 trips with Backroads and continue to be overwhelmed by your formula and its superb execution by your well trained, thoughtful, kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and most professional group of leaders. Tom, my hat is off to you and your team for all you do to make our lives a bit more enjoyable trip after trip. Here's to my first ten trips. I am very much looking forward to the next ten. Thanks for all the good times and life-long memories created along the way.Richard Westin - Orinda, CA
I'm SO happy to be traveling with Backroads ... a 'trip' becomes a 'vacation' when you all take care of the details that make for such full and fun days!!- Pasadena, CA